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Death of a two year old in substandard social housing

(234 Posts)
Dinahmo Tue 15-Nov-22 20:31:49

The young boy died from the effects of poisoning from mould in his home.

After a narrative conclusion was recorded at Rochdale coroner’s court, lawyers for Awaab’s parents read a statement in which they accused the social housing provider, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), of doing nothing over a number of years to treat the mould problem that killed their son.

“We cannot tell you how many health professionals we have cried in front of and Rochdale borough housing staff we have pleaded to expressing concern … We shouted out as loudly as we could,” they said.

They accused RBH of not caring and said they had no doubt they were treated that way “because we are not from this country and less aware of how the systems in the UK work.

For those who aren't aware, many of the so called housing associations were formed in the noughties by local authorities selling off their housing stock to the staff who originally were responsible for running the housing departments. Because of the rules for taking staff the various jobs had to be advertised. I had an interview for one job in Suffolk Coastal and it was obvious from the start that they were just going through the motions.

Those running these associations are in it for the profits I think and they are further candidates for control being handed back to the local authorities.

MissAdventure Wed 23-Nov-22 19:02:08

I would think that the association is obliged to give information about complaints, as is the case with most organisations.

No idea if that's the law, but my local authority provides it, so I assume it must be.

OnwardandUpward Thu 24-Nov-22 00:21:44

I hope everyone who is suffering will get help.

25Avalon Fri 25-Nov-22 17:00:13

Gove is looking at Awaabs Law and wants it pushed through parliament.

Shinamae Fri 25-Nov-22 21:08:37

Wake up people, this is the divide between the haves and the have nots..

JaneJudge Sat 26-Nov-22 11:03:46

I don't people realise how you are spoken to by some people working for local authorities either

nanna8 Sat 26-Nov-22 11:15:40

You wouldn’t house a dog in a building like that, though. Unbelievably bad. They would have been better off in a caravan park in a a caravan.

JaneJudge Sat 26-Nov-22 12:31:59

you are right nanna8

Caleo Sat 26-Nov-22 12:32:51

I agree, Margitknot. A public education initiative.

There must be a happy medium between the total ventilation of a garden arbour, and the indoor steamy bathroom with no ventilation. However this would help only those householders who have watertight dwellings.

Surely it's not beyond the capability of a housing authority to supply watertight dwellings such as any jobbing builder can erect!